Friends of Horticulture SPRING 2004 NEWS

Remembering Our First Friend of Horticulture

Harriet B. Creighton Wellesley College Class of 1929

Wellesley College: Associate Professor of : 1940-1952 Professor of Botany: 1952-1974 Named the Ruby F.H. Farwell Professor of Botany: 1955 Retired in 1974 as Faculty Emerita, Ruby F.H. Farwell Professor of Botany

The Harriet B. Creighton Room in the Visitor Center was dedicated in 1992 to honor Miss Creighton’s years of service to the Botany Department and her ongoing support for the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens. Fleischer; Wellesley College Archives

A Farewell to Harriet B. Creighton by Mary D. Coyne, Ph.D., Wellesley Class MA ’61 Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College

Wellesley College has lost a long-lived In 1940, she returned to Wellesley standard of work which was established alumna, well-loved professor, and college as a faculty member in the Botany by Miss Hallowell, the founder of the historian with the passing of Harriet B. Department and frequently met department. . . .” Harriet caught Miss Creighton, Ph.D., on January 9, 2004 at with her former professor, Margaret Ferguson’s enthusiasm for the Hunnewell the age of 94. Harriet graduated from Ferguson, by then a Professor Emerita. Arboretum, Alexandra Botanic Gardens Wellesley College in 1929 and obtained Six years later in the fall of 1946, on and the Ferguson Greenhouses as premier her Ph.D. from the recommendation of the Botany educational sites and became committed in 1933 under the direction of the Department and , the to maintaining them as such. Even plant geneticist, Barbara McClintock. department chair, the College’s Board after her retirement, Harriet continually Together they published the seminal of Trustees voted to name the Wellesley monitored their status, providing paper on crossing-over in maize. Miss greenhouses for . historical background and personal Creighton stayed on for another year at Margaret Ferguson wrote President support when needed. Cornell as an instructor, and then took Horton how “deeply touched” she was Harriet retired in 1974 as the Ruby F. H. up a teaching position at Connecticut by the honor. She also wrote, “It gives Farwell Professor of Biology after 30 years College. During that time, she worked me great satisfaction that one of my own on the faculty but remained involved on plant hormones with colleagues at the girls is now Chairman of the department. continued on page 11 Connecticut Agricultural Station. I am sure she will be true to the high

1 As you read this, the world outside is three weeks of January. I reflect on the Notes from starting to awaken from its seasonal rest rich history it represents and give thanks and we look forward to early spring. that it is still with us after 129 years the Director However, I am writing in mid-January at the College. I notice some of the by Dr. Duncan Himmelman, Director as we here in the Northeast US are plants in the greenhouses have large, Wellesley College Botanic Gardens experiencing blisteringly cold winter new labels, thanks to the engraving [email protected] days. Despite the arctic temperatures, the machine purchased last year with funds Alexandra Garden and the Hunnewell from the Friends. This winter Tricia Arboretum are picture-perfect, Diggins, WCBG Horticulturist, will be exquisitely dressed in their winter details. making labels for many of the trees and shrubs in the Hunnewell Arboretum and Eschewing the Alexandra Gardens. Our goal is to have outdoors, I recall that the labels in place for Reunion 2004. In my grandmother said time, we hope that new labels for the we must always give greenhouse collection will be made by thanks for even the staff or Friends’ volunteers in our ongoing smallest of pleasures, efforts to improve the quality which I do every time I of our visitors’ experience. step into the Ferguson Greenhouses these Further to the topic of giving thanks, days and envelope today, as I was engaged in my morning myself with the office routine, a message relaying the warmth, beauty and passing of Harriet Creighton came my fragrance of tropical way. This saddened me, as I’m sure it did plants. Walking the legions of people who knew her as through the variously classmate, teacher, colleague, and friend. themed greenhouses, Though I have known her only two and Oaks in the Alexandra Botanic Garden ready and waiting for Spring to arrive. Galen Stone Tower in the background. I take note of the a half years, I am thankful that I had the labels in every pot, good fortune of having met Harriet. I indicating that our surely came to understand what it was 2003 Curatorial Intern, that people found so engaging in Harriet: Henry Kesner, had her strength of character, extensive accomplished so much knowledge of plant science, and constant in the months he was here. The labels insistence on moving forward and have the accession number and scientific improving what we have before us. name of the plant on them, and each number has been entered into our plant Harriet was a repository of important inventory database, thanks to Henry. We historic information surrounding the have approximately 1,800 documented Botanic Gardens, garnered from her plants distributed throughout the houses, personal experiences here as an entering information that was unavailable to us freshman in 1925 to her retirement from Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture even 6 months ago. Next, we are going the Botany faculty in 1974 and through 106 Central Street to sort the data and determine the to last spring when she led a tour of the Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 number of plant families, genera, and greenhouses for the new class of docents. species represented by those 1800 plants. She was insistent that I learn the history 781-283-3094 At that time, we will be better able to of the Gardens and provided me the [email protected] build our collection and “fill gaps” based literature to do so. She even quizzed me Dr. Duncan Himmelman, Director on faculty needs for both classroom on how much I’d learned! Wellesley College Botanic Gardens and research purposes. This exacting WCFH Faculty Co-Chair work has been funded by the Friends of In fact, Harriet’s dedication to the Horticulture, and we are all thankful for Gardens and its immeasurable value to Editorial Committee: their generosity. the Wellesley College community of Carole M. Jansson Ely ’79 faculty, students and staff were imparted Nancy Dean Kingman ’53 Continuing my tour of the Ferguson to me on every occasion we met. She Elizabeth Reece Greenhouses, I pass the Durant Camellia was always concerned that the Gardens Nancy Webb already in full flower during these first continued on page 14

2 Earth’s How the northeast section of the American Chemical Atmosphere Society (NESACS) combined National Chemistry Week (NCW) activities with a tour of Wellesley College’s and Beyond greenhouses to excite young minds about science by Jean Fuller-Stanley, Professor Department of Chemistry Wellesley College NESACS 2004 Chair

Many of you are asking yourselves, 1. A variety of hands-on discovery what does National Chemistry Week experiments related to the theme have to do with Botany, Horticulture “Earth’s Atmosphere and Beyond”. or the Greenhouses for that matter? 2. Two showings of the Phyllis A. The week of October 19-25, 2003 was Brauner Memorial Lecture, by “Magic designated National Chemistry Week Show” Chemistry Professor Bassam by the American Chemical Society. Shakhashiri. Local chemistry communities all over this country used this as an opportunity 3. A visit to Wellesley College’s to capture the curiosity of young minds Greenhouses. and to invigorate young people about the wonders and benefits of science. These activities represented a wonderful The NESACS kicked off NCW with an synergy of the Sciences, in particular entire day, October 19th 2003, of fun Chemistry and Biology. The chemical yet stimulating science experiments for experiments involved making such kids of all ages to explore at Wellesley things your own humidity testers, UV College. The day’s events/activities light sensitive bracelets and clouds from Students doing hands-on experiments in the included the following: a demonstration kit. The gases generated Science Center. by many of the experiments are directly related to those generated and or used by the plants of the greenhouses. This provided the children with concrete applications of the inter-dependency of Despite dreary New England weather, earth’s atmosphere to what we do and cold and overcast, over 400 kids of all how we live. For example, hands on ages—grandparents, parents and their experiments generated carbon dioxide children—participated in the numerous from reactions of typical household NCW experiments, attended the items, such as vinegar and baking soda, lecture-demonstration, and visited the (to the chemists, acetic acid and sodium greenhouses on October 19th. While hydrogen carbonate). The childrens’ not all were able to experience the visit to the greenhouses enabled them wonders of sunlight in making their to experience firsthand plants that use UV Light sensitive bracelet, they did carbon dioxide to generate oxygen. have direct application in the testing of their Humidity Tester. The organizing During the Chemistry Magic Show committee of NESACS National Professor Shakhashiri “fogged-up” the Chemistry Week is pleased that we were room by generating more gaseous carbon able to extend the learning about Earth’s dioxide from dry-ice. In addition to Atmosphere by incorporating visits to Professor Bassam Shakhashiri working his those experiments, the children made Wellesley College’s greenhouses. “magic.” paper planes and learned through experimentation the relationship To learn more about the Northeastern between materials from which the paper Section of the American Chemical is made and the ability of their paper Society, visit their web site: planes to fly. www.nesacs.org.

3 To the cells. In plant cells, the mitochondria to the project with a senior-year thesis. are known to associate with For instance, I learned of a chemical that Friends of chloroplasts. We studied plant cells will allow us to observe mitochondria with Green Fluorescent Protein-labeled that are not labeled with GFP, which will mitochondria engineered by Dr. Yasuo be useful to use in mutant plants. Horticulture: Niwa in Japan. Under the laser confocal On a more personal note, the trip to microscope, these organelles glow green Hawaii reunited me with two former and can be studied live. long-time neighbors, Janice and Jon We found that mitochondria do Bryan, now retired and living in Jon’s behave differently under various light native state. I am very grateful for treatments, changing size and shape and their hospitality while I stayed on the even speed of movement. Mitochondria island. Jon took me into the rain forests, that are long and spaghetti-like in shape national parks, a cultural museum, and Photograph Jon Bryan by tend to move much faster throughout the even his old high school. I listened to cell as opposed to small, sphere-shaped his amateur ukulele, learned a few native mitochondria. In live tissue, these fast- Hawaiian words, and had my first taste moving mitochondria will freeze and of poi. sometimes turn to spherical shape under I wish to thank you once again. Your high-intensity blue light. generosity has enhanced my understanding Professors Martina Königer and Gary Harris At the presentation of this research, of the scientific community outside of with Brita in Hawaii I was approached with questions and Wellesley, and has helped me to mature as insight by other plant cellular biologists. a contributing scientist to the field of plant I also viewed other presentations in this research. I shall be sure to let you know of I wish to extend my most sincere area which have sparked new ideas and the progress I continue to make this year. appreciation for your sponsorship of introduced me to new technologies that I Sincerely, my participation in the 2003 National will investigate in the lab this upcoming Conference of the American Society year, as I conclude my final contribution Brita Jessen ’04 of Plant Biologists in Hawaii. I was awestruck when I entered the convention center filled with hundreds of posters Brita shared with us how she started down her current path and countless active minds, the scientists as an avid student of biology. constantly asking each other questions, offering ideas, and exchanging fresh My mother went to the college of science I have always grown up asking questions of my perspectives. I accompanied my two at Cornell University and took a degree at mom . . . Why don’t we take antibiotics for the closest advisors, Wellesley Professors Harvard before going to medical school. She flu? . . .Why do we need vaccine boosters? . . . Martina Königer and Gary Harris, who is, in my mind, the best and smartest physician Why do my fingers wrinkle in the shower? . . . pointed out renowned members of the in Boston. She keeps up to date with the I’ve learned many science lessons at home. field, shared their views on the lectures, latest medical journals. Even my younger brother teaches me physics at the dinner table (although I don’t usually and even gave the name for almost every The other day something surprised me: I like to admit this). plant that we saw on the island. found I know more than she does about mitochondria. “Brita, this is so neat,” she said When as a sophomore I entered Professor We attended the meeting to present our to me, “Do you know that mitochondria Königer’s lab asking to volunteer, I just wanted poster on observations of mitochondria used to be prokaryotes? Look at this article.” to gain some lab experience and learn about size, shape, and dynamics in the plant But I didn’t need to look at the article; I the life of a researcher. Professor Königer Arabidopsis thaliana under different already learned that. Mitochondria are semi- has taught me well: research is a necessary light conditions. Professor Königer autonomous organelles. They have their own combination of data collecting, reading and has been studying the distribution of DNA, divide on their own, and have a double writing, and learning from mistakes. And as chloroplasts in guard cells under various membrane. All these signs point to the theory an unexpected result of my questioning, I can light conditions (see WCFH Spring 2002 that mitochondria used to be cells of their now teach my mom something about science. own, similar to bacteria. There was probably a Newsletter). After I assisted her for a When I took a break from the piles of symbiotic relationship between mitochondria part of this project, she proposed that I papers I was reading over winter break, my and our current-day cell, which engulfed them. extend the study to include mitochondria brother moved into my spot. Looking over Evolution has led to our cells now depending the articles, he tells me, “I actually understand responses under the same conditions. on mitochondria for energy, and mitochondria some of this.” Yeah, I think to myself, someday depending on the eukaryotic cell for many Mitochondria are centers for energy you’ll probably know more than me, too. production within plant and animal essential proteins and lipids.

4 If we make our gardens inviting to creatures to the garden. Take it from GARDENING beautiful creatures like birds and an enthusiastic gardener of more than butterflies, they can become important 30 years; in the long run gardening in FOR THE wildlife habitat. While private gardens harmony with nature is less work and less won’t eliminate the need to preserve expensive to both the environment and ECOSYSTEM: public open spaces and wildlife corridors the gardener! between them, our gardens can Butterflies, contribute significantly. However, to become a wildlife habitat, our gardens I. Adjusting Attitudes Birds, and must become garden ecosystems in which Rethinking Pest Control plants, animals, and the environment We should avoid spraying infested plants are allowed to interact in complex ways. with chemical insecticides that are broad Other Critters And we need to spread the word to the spectrum and indiscriminately kill, right by Sharon Soltzberg neighbors and beyond because ecosystems along with the pests, the approximately Wellesley College transcend property lines. 80% of insects that are beneficial. These Department of Biological Sciences include pollinating bees and butterflies, To be a garden ecosystem and perhaps along with spiders and beetles that eat part of a larger natural ecosystem, specific plant pests. Whether synthetic a garden needs to be “sustainable”, or derived from a natural source, meaning self-sustaining with few outside insecticides often kill by disrupting the inputs. To achieve this, we should choose nervous systems of insects. Since the mostly native plants that will not require nervous systems of vertebrates like birds extra watering once established. We and humans function in the same way should avoid using man-made chemical as those of insects, these neurotoxins fertilizers and instead use organic sources are dangerous to non-target creatures— such as fallen leaves and compost. especially young vertebrates, whose (See http://compost.css.cornell.edu/ nervous systems are rapidly developing. Composting_homepage.html) These Insecticides can reduce populations of organic materials feed the living soil swallows and bats that would eat lots organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and of mosquitoes each evening, and also earthworms which form the base of an dragonflies, whose aquatic larvae feed on ecosystem by releasing nutrients that mosquito larvae. Additionally, the use plants can use from dead and decaying of fungicides and some herbicides have plants and other organisms. been found to be harmful to non-target creatures. The use of pesticides can kill Start out by looking to natural ecosystems off the good soil organisms that cycle for inspiration. Depending on where nutrients in a sustainable ecosystem. So you live, study and enjoy the forests, be sure to read warning labels carefully. seashore, wetlands, or sunny fields that We see more and more pesticides taken are no longer used for agriculture. Visit off the market as data from long term naturalistic gardens for more insights. studies become available. Chlorpyrifos In New England, a great destination is (Dursban) was banned in 2000 and Garden in the Woods, the New England diazinon (Spectracide), which was the Wildflower Society’s botanic garden in most widely used pesticide on lawns, was Framingham, Massachusetts (see http:// banned in 2001. www.newfs.org). Keep in mind the adage, “Nature writes, gardeners edit.” To deal with pests and reduce our reliance on chemicals, we need to be The following discussion will focus on more clever. We must learn about pest gardening attitudes and actions that life cycles and about the most effective result in attracting more wildlife to times to control them. Biological gardens. In particular, we are going controls, such as those frequently to first look at effective pest control released in our WCBG Greenhouses, can efforts and changing attitudes about our be quite specific and effective. In both lawns. Then we look at some creative the caterpillar stage of their lifecycle suggestions for attracting specific and after they have metamorphosed continued on page 6

5 Controlling Pests: A Kinder, Gentler Method for Plants and You by Elizabeth Reece WCFH Staff Tony Antonucci, WCBG Senior Before using horticultural oil, Tony sprays insects. Also, avoid spraying them on a Horticulturist, uses two environmentally plants well with water to try to wash plant that is under drought stress. conservative methods to control pests in off as many pests as possible – then he Visit http://ipmofalaska.homestead.com/ the greenhouses. Generally, he uses the applies horticultural oil. He cautions that files/hortoils.html for more information. gentler method first, and if pests persist it is critical to read the directions on the (i.e. aphids, scale, whitefly, mealy bugs…) product – many horticultural oils will list he then moves to the method that is several plants that should not be sprayed Tony Antonucci’s Insecticidal Soap stronger – depending on the plant and with this product. For example, when (Recipe for a 1-pint spray bottle) the circumstances. sprayed on a blue spruce, it will take the blue color away. It is a good idea to follow ½-1 teaspoon Fel’s Naptha Soap shavings The gentler method is an insecticidal any directions such as for the user to wear ½ teaspoon Canola oil soap. Although a commercial preparation gloves. Tony also suggests placing the plant 1 pint water can be purchased, Tony makes a in a plastic bag before spraying to protect “homemade” mixture of water, canola Increase quantity of soap shavings if plant the surrounding area from overspray. oil, and non-detergent soap with “Fel’s to be sprayed has waxy leaves (i.e. jade Naptha Soap”. He has bars of this soap Tony cautioned, however, that both plant.) Conversely, use less soap for tender set aside exclusively for making anti-pest insecticidal soap and horticultural oil plants, such as those with hairy leaves (i.e. solution. These bars are “shaved” into can cause leaf burn on sensitive plants streptocarpus, begonia). A more dilute water resulting in granules that dissolve (ferns) – a process called phytotoxicity. solution can be used more frequently. Do almost instantly. He uses only enough Always check the product label or a plant not use on ferns or other sensitive plants. Fel’s Naptha soap to make the water reference book for more plant specific For orchids, spot treat with oil-less soap look “murky”, and then adds in a drop or information. Unless he’s working with a solution by wetting a soft cloth with the two of canola oil per small spray bottle sensitive plant known to have a phytotoxic oil-less solution. Wipe each leaf or tender of the soap mixture. He uses canola reaction to one of the sprays, he tries to stem carefully. oil because it is a light weight oil and use the home made soap/oil spray first, This solution plugs up sprayers over time, relatively odorless. and if the pests do not go away, he will so Tony suggests making only enough for use horticultural oil. The other spray that Tony uses on the application you need that day. Shake plants is horticultural oil, a product that How do these two methods work in the bottle each time before spraying as it is available under several brand names controlling pests? Both solutions block the separates easily. Spray both top and bottom at garden centers. Horticultural oil is air holes through which insects breathe so of leaves early in the day to allow time for usually refined petroleum oil combined they suffocate. Additionally, the oils can the plant to dry before nightfall. Also, any with an emulsifying agent. While it cause a metabolic upset within the insect, plant may be spot treated with the soap contains chemicals, they are of low and/or disrupt insect feeding methods. solution on a soft cloth if you prefer that toxicity, and since they dissipate quickly, Care should be taken using both sprays method. they leave little residue. if you have released beneficial predator

ECOSYSTEM continued from page 5 from Europe to control purple loosestrife. may have heard of the experiments at Hopefully, they won’t take a liking to our Cornell University investigating the into adults, lady bug beetles dine on native loosestrifes. The interactions of possibility that milkweed dusted with aphids. In contrast, while butterfly adults organisms in an ecosystem are complex, Bt corn pollen harms Monarch butterfly are plant pollinators, their caterpillars and scientists are still learning more about caterpillars. On the positive side, (sometimes called grubs or larvae) them. planting Bt corn has reduced chemical are eating machines that may chew pesticide use by farmers. up desired garden plants. The key to Bt (Bacillus thurengiensis) is a naturally success here is to provide alternative or occurring soil bacterium that makes a Thankfully, there are some safe extra food sources for these caterpillars. toxin which kills the caterpillar stage of insecticidal sprays that help. Soapy Sometimes, introduced insects don’t moths and butterflies. It can be sprayed on water sprays are used in our Greenhouses, target their intended host exclusively. plants and is used as a last resort by organic as are horticultural oil sprays that clog New studies show that parasitic wasps, farmers. Since many moth caterpillars are insect breathing pores and dissolve the introduced about 100 years ago to control agricultural pests, the Bt gene has been waxy coatings on their exoskeletons. gypsy moths, may be partly responsible bioengineered into some crops; thus we We should seek out and plant disease for declining butterfly populations. Two have genetically modified crops such as Bt or pest resistant cultivars as often as beetles have recently been introduced corn, Bt soybeans, and Bt potatoes. You

6 possible. Finally, a change in attitude butterflies, and other creatures. To keep II. Gardens in Action consistent with our view of the garden what lawn we do have healthy, we can: as an ecosystem will allow us to accept Attracting Butterflies • Plant appropriate grass species. The habitat that nurtures butterflies some pest damage to our garden plants. • Use organic fertilizers such as compost is sunny and protected from the wind. For more information visit the web site or corn gluten meal, which also inhibits Think about adding stone or brick as http://www.GreenMethods.com. crabgrass germination. a decorative element, edging, path, or • Lime the lawn to create a soil pH that patio so that these cold-blooded animals Redesigning Our Lawns favors grass species. can have a spot to warm up early in the The time has come to rethink the large • Mow the lawn high (2-3 inches in day. Muddy puddles or a shallow bird sprawling suburban lawn. It has been summer) encouraging deep grass roots bath (change the water about every estimated that we, as homeowners, so the lawn will require less water. four days to prevent mosquitoes from use ten times the amount of pesticides breeding) will attract butterflies. Leaf Alternatives to lawns include using and fertilizers per acre on our lawns groundcover plants such as perennials continued on page 8 than is used on agricultural land. and shrubs. If there is enough room on Chemical fertilizers are readily washed your property, try developing a meadow, into bodies of water that can lead to sometimes called the “new American eutrophication—the rapid, excessive lawn”, which can serve as a transition growth of aquatic plants and algae, which between lawn or perennial beds and when they die and decay use up oxygen woods. The meadow usually consists of creating hostile and potentially fatal herbaceous perennials and grasses. Clump

environments for fish. of Species Photo Web formers such as switch grass (Panicum), A great deal of precious water is used little blue stem (Schizachyrium scoparium), on lawns instead of allowing them to and big blue stem (Andropogon gerardi) go dormant during dry periods, as they are preferable. Establishing a meadow naturally would. Even in relatively can be as complicated as any gardening wet New England, watering of lawns effort or as simple as not mowing the contributes significantly to the fact that lawn. In New England the natural cover some rivers have chronically low flow in for land is forest, so you must have the summer, disrupting the ecology of the meadow mowed at a height of about six plants and animals that live in or near inches once or twice a year to discourage those rivers. woody plants, including invasive plants, from getting established. Mowing is To conserve water and reduce chemical recommended in late fall or early spring use, we can reduce the size of our lawns, prior to May 1 when birds usually begin which some have called “green deserts”, to nest in the meadow. The showy ray flowers of Coreopsis lanceolata, to what is needed for walking and often mislabeled as “petals”, help attract playing, thus allowing the rest of the yard A meadow is a diverse, complex plant butterflies to the floral nectar contained in the to become part of our garden ecosystem community which will be very attractive tightly packed disc flowers in the center of the with plants that will attract birds, to wildlife. flower head.

Web of Species This unique web site was created by Wellesley students Jiasuey and Allaire Biodiversity in New England and at Wellesley College in 1998 and has inspired those who visit it. Time and space interweave and create our perspective of the environment. Every blade They wrote, “We began with a goal of creating a field guide to the species of grass waving in the meadow, every squirrel darting among found at Wellesley College and in New England. We now present Web of the tree branches, every maple leaf changing color in autumn Species, a web site combining science and art, incorporating spatial and represents millions of years of evolution. The myriad ecological temporal information about nature and the connections species have spaces on the Wellesley campus support incredibly diverse com- with people, history, and each other. We hope to open your eyes to the munities of New England and exotic species. Web of Species enables you to identify and biodiversity of Wellesley’s landscape and heighten your awareness of learn about individual species by tracing their evolution species’ relationships in evolutionary time.” through time, or by pinpointing their locations in space, using a map of the Wellesley campus. To experience this web site with its interactive campus map, Discover what vine is creeping in your dorm window, or what visit http://www.wellesley.edu/Activities/homepage/web/index.html. bird sings each morning as you walk to class. Open your eyes Or search www.wellesley.edu for “Web of Species” and increase your awareness of this dynamic landscape.

7 ECOSYSTEM continued from page 7 Flowers have evolved to attract insects, birds, bats and other animals to facilitate cross pollination. These creatures carry pollen from the male part of one Butterfly Plants flower to the female part of a flower of (for larval food and/or nectar; genus names are given) a different plant of the same species. This ensures more variety in the genetic

Web of Species Photo Web makeup of the species. To pollinate citrus Non-hardy Annuals and plants in our Ferguson Greenhouses in Perennials at Wellesley the absence of pollinating insects, the same thing can be accomplished with a Agastache Gaillardia The flat clustered flower of Queen Anne’s Lace small paintbrush. Alstroemeria Gomphrena (Daucus carota) is ready to open into its easily Anethum Heliotropium recognized umbel (umbrella like) inflorescence Two general flower types are especially Antirrhinum Lantana resembling lace. attractive to adult butterflies: Argyranthemum Lavandula Buddleia Lobularia 1. many small flowers clustered together Chrysanthemum Origanum so that flowers open in sequence and Citrus Salvia form a landing platform, e.g. butterfly Cleome Tithonia weed, Pentas, yarrow (Achillea), Sedum. Consolida Tropaeolum litter in a nearby woodsy area provides Also, members of the composite family, Coreopsis Verbena protection from birds and for over- such as asters, purple coneflower, and Cosmos Zinnia wintering, usually in the egg or pupa black-eyed susan. stage, of non-migrating butterflies. Foeniculum 2. tubular flowers with nectaries so deep that bees can’t reach them but You probably have noticed that butterflies with their long tongues can. Hardy Perennials butterflies seem less common than they Some of these plants, if the flowers are at Wellesley used to be. The loss of habitat where some shade of red, are also attractive specific larval food grows is the number Achillea Helianthus to hummingbirds, e.g. bee balm, one cause of species loss. The larva, Agastache Hemerocallis Nepeta species, and nasturtium (the which is the main eating stage of the Allium Lilium spur contains the nectar). Anthermis Monarda butterfly, must eat leaves, green buds, and stems of specific plants. For instance, Armeria Nepeta For more information see http://forums. black swallowtail adults lay their eggs Asclepias Origanum gardenweb.com/forums/butterfly and on umbelliferous plants, e.g. parsley, dill, Aster Phlox http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ Queen Anne’s Lace, wild carrot, and Calamintha Petroselinum entfacts/misc/ef006.htm Centranthus Rudbeckia cow parsnip. Monarch butterflies lay Chrysanthemum Ruta their eggs on milkweeds such as white Coreopsis Salvia milkweed in the wild and butterfly weed Delphinium Scabiosa (Asclepias tuberose) in the garden. The Dianthus Sedum larvae of many fritillaries prefer violet Echinacea Silphium leaves, and eastern tiger swallowtail Echinops Solidago larvae eat the leaves of the tulip tree Eryngium Thymus (Liriodendron tulipifera) and wild cherry Eupatorium Veronica trees. Since butterflies evolved using Helenium Viola native food sources, planting native species in your garden will help sustain local butterfly populations. Woody Plants Aesculus Lindera benzoin The food needs of adult butterflies are Betula Philadelphus not as plant specific, nor do they focus Buddleia Potentilla on flower color. Instead—adults often Caryopteris Prunus use flower fragrance as a signal that floral Ceanothus Rosa nectar is present. Adult butterflies feed Clethra Salix on the nectar by using their long, coiled Cornus Styrax Nasturtiums whose spurs (see arrow) are filled mouthpart, the probiscus, which uncoils with nectar—from the display arch in the like a straw to suck up liquids. Ferguson Greenhouses.

8 Providing for the Birds HUMMINGBIRD PLANTS If you want birds to nest and forage (for nectar; choose red, orange-red, in your yard, don’t be too neat. Birds coral flowers; genus names are given) need leaf litter or brush piles (good Non-hardy Annuals and for butterflies to hide from birds also), Perennials at Wellesley evergreen shrubs, and large trees (such as oaks, sugar and red maples, and beech) Abutilon Lantana for refuge. Even if you have nearby woods Agapanthus Lobelia with large trees, consider planting some Agastache Mirabilis trees. Since they will take time to grow, Antirrhinum Nicotiana there is no time like the present to start Callistemon Penstemon Canna Pentas planting trees. Plants should be allowed Cuphea Petunia to grow in their natural shapes which Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular flowers Dicliptera Phaseolus coccineus provide branching spaces for refuge and such as these Fuchsia blossoms in the Season Fuchsia Phlox drummondii nesting. Display of the Ferguson Greenhouses. Hamelia Phygelius Hibiscus Salvia Benign neglect is good in the far parts Impatiens Stachys coccinea of the garden, but be on the lookout Ipomoea Tithonia for invasive, non-native plants which native coral honeysuckle vine (Lonicera Kalanchoe Tropaeolum often fill in neglected areas, crowding sempervirens), bee balm (Monarda), and Kniphofia Zinnia out natives. Ironically, the seeds of red salvias and penstemons. Many of the invasive plants such as barberry, oriental perennial species of penstemon, sadly, are Hardy Perennials bittersweet, burning bush (Euonymus not hardy in the Boston area and farther at Wellesley alatus), bush honeysuckle, and multiflora north. Asclepias Liatris rose, are often spread when birds eat their Aquilegia Lilium fruit. Many of these invasive species Songbirds generally are of two types, Bergenia Lobelia were introduced by the horticultural the insect eaters with relatively longer, Delphinium Malva industry and used to be recommended thinner bills and the seed eaters with Dicentra Monarda for plantings to attract birds. Consult fatter, stronger bills for cracking open Digitalis Penstemon the web for more information about fruit and seed coats. Interestingly, many Epimedium Physostegia non-native, invasive plants (http://www. birds that eat insects such as butterfly Hemerocallis Stachys larvae in the spring switch to nectar, fruit Heuchera Symphytum invasivespecies.gov/). Avoid planting Hosta Yucca them in your garden and be proactive and seeds in the summer, fall, and winter Iris about removing those “volunteer” as these become available. Seeds may invasive plants. be produced in dry fruits such as those Woody Plants of grasses, sunflowers and other members Birds respond to the sound of water for of the aster family, or on the cones of Aesculus Syringa Buddleia Weigela drinking and bathing. You can supply conifers. Bird feeders filled with black oil Campsis radicans running water by hanging a plastic bottle sunflower seeds are especially enjoyed. Lonicera sempervirens of water with a tiny hole to drip over a Birds that eat insects will appreciate suet shallow bird bath or by buying a water in winter. Experts say they do not need spout made for this purpose. Another the supplemental feeding, but on cold interesting item that can be purchased is winter days it is satisfying for humans to a cascade with a series of waterfalls and a provide some extra treats. recirculating pump that is solar powered. Birds that are fruit eaters eat fleshy When choosing flowering plants to fruit. Have you noticed that many fruits attract birds, keep in mind that birds have produced by plants are some shade of excellent vision but a poor sense of smell. red? Insects can’t see red, but birds and The ruby throated hummingbird, the mammals (like us) are attracted to red. only hummingbird east of the Mississippi, So some plants have evolved to use birds is attracted to red in all its hues, scarlet, and mammals to disperse their seed into red-orange, coral. They are especially new habitats. The birds eat the fruit and attracted to tubular flowers with no the seeds pass through their digestive The fleshy red berries of Winterberry (Ilex ver- landing platform as they can hover. To tracts, causing scarification of the seed ticillata) in the Botanic Garden provide food for bring them into your garden, plant our coat and thus aiding in seed germination. birds during the cold winter months. continued on page 10

9 ECOSYSTEM continued from page 9 with successful track records. Their web sites are loaded with information. Overwintering fruit is especially • Use organic chemical repellents, important and is provided by such native which are repulsive but not harmful. plants as winterberry, a deciduous holly • Choose plants less favored by deer. (Ilex verticillata), crabapples with small See http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/ fruit, and American cranberry bush deerresistance (Viburnum trilobum). Most encouraging of all is that For more information, see: predatory species, coyotes and predatory http://birding.about.com/mbody.htm birds such as hawks and eagles, are http://www.audubon.org returning to our landscapes. They will http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/ keep some of these other critters under The red fruit of Crabapples (Malus sp.) often hummingbird. control so that our ecosystems may overwinter and are a favorite food for birds as eventually return to a more sustainable well as many other critters including deer. And for the Other Critters level of complexity. When we make our gardens attractive to birds and butterflies, we will Plants for Songbirds naturally attract other critters such (for seeds or fruit; genus names are given) as frogs, toads, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks, deer, raccoons, Non-hardy Annuals and and skunks. We will be pleased with, Perennials at Wellesley or at least tolerant of their presence. Amaranthus Helianthus Unfortunately, because we long ago Calendula Phlox Celosia Portulaca eliminated predatory species such as of Species Photo Web Centaurea Tagetes coyotes and wolves from our landscapes, Cosmos Verbena the populations of some of these garden Eschscholzia Zinnia visitors are not being kept under natural control. One thinks especially of deer, Hardy Perennials which can rapidly defoliate garden plants at Wellesley and may also carry Lyme disease. To Andropogon Helianthus control deer eating habits, consider some Aster Opuntia combination of the following: Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Calamagrostis Panicum provides long season support for birds with both Chasmanthium Phlox • Install a strong fence at least eight feet flowers and berries. Chrysanthemum Rudbeckia high. For information on deer fencing, Coreopsis Solidago do an internet search. There are several Helenium Yucca quality suppliers of fencing products Woody Plants (*= evergreen conifers) Abies* Parthenocissus Acer Pinus* Alnus Platanus Sharon Soltzberg is a retired Senior Instructor in Science Laboratory in the Department Amelanchier Populus Arctostaphylos Prunus of Biological Sciences at Wellesley College. She holds a B.A. degree in Biology Betula Quercus from the University of Delaware and M.S. degree in Biology from the University of Chamaecyparis* Rhododendron Pennsylvania. Sharon taught at Wellesley College from 1986 to 2003. She has taught Cornus Rhus labs in Introductory Organismal Biology, Introductory Cell Biology, Human Crataegus Rosa Biology, and Microbiology, as well as in a course on Plants, People, and the Fagus Sambucus Environment (previously called Environmental Horticulture). Sharon is particularly Ilex Sorbus interested in the environmental issues associated with land use and landscape design. Juniperus* Taxus* Lindera Thuya* She is presently serving on the Conservation Commission in Needham. Malus Tsuga* Morus Vaccinium Myrica Viburnum Nyssa Vitus

10 A farewell continued from page 1 the hallways, that you realize Harriet was the only one who knew. And the amazing part is that she remembered everything in in College activities for almost another great detail to the end. 30 years. During her post-retirement years she wrote the chapter on “The There are more honors such as being the Grounds” for the centennial book third woman president of the Botanical Wellesley College 1875-1975, A Century of Society of America (the first was Margaret Women and served on the 1998 Campus Ferguson) and recipient of the “Large Master Plan Committee. In addition, Gold Medal” from the Massachusetts she was an National Science Foundation Horticultural Society for her botanical consultant in India, taught at the expertise and ’horticultural concern in the Radcliffe Landscape Design Seminars, community’, but her greatest legacy was and was a trustee for the Massachusetts just being herself. Horticultural Society with special Many former students have written to concerns for its educational programs express their fond remembrances of and the contents of its magazine, Harriet. Barbara Rappaport ’44 defined Horticulture. Her enduring focus Harriet with the adjectives — “shrewd, Harriet in the Cool Temperate Greenhouse continued to be botanical education; discussing the inflorescence of the Thumbergia kind and breezy”. This is the Harriet I she showed us that retirement is not an grandiflorawith the WCFH 2002 Docent remember. After complaining that I had ending but, in fact, another beginning. trainees. a favorite plant die, I was told by Harriet Harriet was a great storyteller with to “stop worrying about it, throw it out tales of early days of genetics research, and get another one.” It was the best wartime stories of her service in the horticultural advice I ever had. college historian and committed U.S. Naval Reserve for Women, the educator. Goodbye, Harriet. We Harriet was much admired by the Friends WAVES, Wellesley’s varied presidents, consider ourselves fortunate to have of Horticulture as their number one students and colleagues, and travels known you. champion. She carried the original germ throughout the world. When someone of the idea across several decades until has been around as long as Harriet you two trustees at last took it up, and in 1983 get to know only the part of her life that More stories about Harriet Creighton the Friends was founded (see Fall 2003 you and she have shared, but you do on pages 12-14 Newsletter for a history). She served on not gain a grasp of the time span of her the WCFH Steering Committee and was experiences and knowledge. It is only pleased to have the gathering room in the Many thanks to Wellesley College Archives when someone wants to know where Visitor Center named in her honor. staff, Wilma Slaight and Jean Berry, for their the cross-section of the redwood tree in cheerful and efficient responses to our many the Focus of the Science Center came We will all miss a good friend, entertain- inquiries. from, or the botanical drawings lining ing companion, knowledgeable botanist,

A Toast to Harriet Creighton given at North Hill, Needham, MA on January 23, 2004 to a gathering of Harriet’s admirers I met Harriet Creighton when she caught me picking the cashews out of the mixed nut dish at a reception for Wellesley freshmen. Her remarks made it clear to me that she could handle, with a sense of humor, the brash young thing I then was at age seventeen.

She subsequently became my faculty advisor throughout college, my mentor in genetics (a field in which her early papers with McClintock are among the classics), my moral support throughout graduate school and a friend ever since.

I have never known anyone except my mother who exhibited such joie de vivre. Harriet was eternally curious and explored almost everything in her path: cultural, geographic, scientific, and gustatory. And she certainly appreciated a good drink. So, let us raise our glasses and drink a toast to Harriet Creighton and her life, joyously, generously, and productively lived. -To Harriet - — Ann Mathews Lacy Wellesley Class of 1953

11 are to prove the following in 10 steps. Tales from . . .” For my answer I began, “Step 1. Harriet Creighton Pick the 50 best potatoes.” And that was Miss Creighton’s all I wrote because that was all I knew. Botanical I handed in my bluebook, and a few Greenhouse Fund Botany days later received a notice to see Miss Creighton in her office in Sage. Gifts in memory of Professor Emerita Harriet Creighton may be made to Classroom Over I went, beyond hope. I will never an endowment fund supporting the forget what she said, “Miss Malloy, you Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses, failed your exam, you failed the course, but I am passing you because you are originally named by Harriet the the only student who knew the first “Botanical Greenhouse Fund.” After step—you picked the 50 best potatoes.” she established the endowment in Those words have stayed with me ever 1955 with an initial “modest” (to since —think about them—there is quote Miss Creighton) gift, Harriet much value in knowing and then taking continued her support of this fund the first step even if you don’t know the over the years and encouraged second step. others to donate as well. Although Almost 50 years went by and our paths Harriet did not wish her name to be crossed again. Miss Creighton had given attached to the fund while she was Wellesley College Archives College Wellesley up driving, and I started driving her actively involved at Wellesley, she around to some medical appointments, a few errands, and occasional feasts of wrote (in typical Harriet style), “If fried clams at Nick’s, a local restaurant. after I am not in active service there We no longer had a formal teacher/pupil should be any reason to mention relationship but still, it took me almost 2 my name, it is all right with me.” The years to screw up my courage and call her College has decided to honor Harriet Harriet as everyone else did. Early Summer 1947—Miss Creighton checking by renaming it the “Harriet Creighton a student’s work in the student perennial beds in So, I have my two sets of very separate Botanical Greenhouse Fund” knowing the Botanic Gardens, a part of the Hunnewell memories—my Miss Creighton memories that it would be just fine with Harriet. Arboretum now called “The Wedding Area.” and my Harriet memories—and each set is cherished. You may send your contribution to:

Ann Lacy ’53 remembers Miss Development Services Creighton’s unique wit . . . Wellesley College Miss Creighton lectured in an informal, Harriet Creighton Botanical Ginny Malloy Walker ’53, an anecdotal style and normally allowed Greenhouse Fund economics major, writes about time for comments and questions from 106 Central Street her brief foray into the students. She was relaxed and seldom disturbed by student antics. However, I Wellesley, MA 02481 sciences . . . remember one particular time when this It was Fall 1949 and my first year at was not the case — Wellesley when I took Interdepartmental Please make checks payable to: 103, a combination botany/zoology Trained as a plant geneticist and not as a Wellesley College course taught by Miss Creighton. I was zoologist, she was clearly uncomfortable in awe of Miss Creighton and everything as she taught a section of the combined else at Wellesley and hated botany. I biology course for the first time and spent a lot of time wishing I had taken had to dissect a guinea pig in front of astronomy as a lab science. Final exam the class. All through the ordeal, an look, and said rather fiercely, “Just time came, and I was so far behind I annoyingly chatty student kept up because a guinea pig does not talk all the time does not mean that it does not have didn’t try to study. I just resigned myself a barrage of tiresome questions and comments as she had done all semester. some other use for its tongue.” to another year of lab science. Eventually, the student queried, “What The whole class was tempted to cheer. is that hanging out of the guinea pig’s The first question on that exam was to Perhaps it was fortunate that Harriet’s mouth? What does it use it for?” set up an experiment using 100 potatoes. patience ran out before the dissection Miss Creighton wrote, “You have 100 At this Harriet laid down her scalpel reached the male reproductive system. . . potatoes. Using half these potatoes you and forceps, gave the student a withering continued on page 14

12 On-Line Remembrances

Harriet B. Creighton

A great researcher Archives College Wellesley A marvelous teacher A magnificent chronicler of Wellesley College history A delightful story teller A loyal friend who will be missed Phyllis J. Fleming, Professor of Physics, Emerita

Harriet Creighton was an amazing teacher; I took two courses from her in the sixties . . . so much enthusiasm for her subject matter . . . impossible not to be thrilled to be Using the Flower Models that she developed as an educational product, Miss there learning in her classroom. Even for non-scientists . . . Creighton explained the intricacies of plant reproduction. she must have inspired hundreds of students to go into botany. Wilma Riemenschneider Kassakian ’68, Information Services

She was just plain amazing, pure and until the spring issue, but we’ve had simple. When I first got here, she called fun over the last few days selecting me up to give me “the Wellesley scoop.” pictures for the story. We’ve seen them Any history question I had, she’d answer from all the various stages of her career: Mary Jane Ertman it for me. She told me all about the Harriet in front of students in a classic Wellesley culture. When we did a story pose, Harriet with a garden of pansies, about Mildred McAfee and the WAVES Harriet with a huge model of a flower, not too long ago, Harriet provided us with portraits of her as a young woman. a huge amount of WWII era information. Archives has some great shots. She had an incredible memory, and Hats off to a great lady! told the funniest, saltiest stories about backroom goings-on at Wellesley. I just Alice M. Hummer, Editor, loved listening to her talk. She was Wellesley magazine president of her class, actively kept in touch with classmates, and kept us on our toes making sure we kept ’29’s class notes I remember Harriet with great affection up to date. starting in my first year at Wellesley. A friend and I went to the Club (almost) What I loved best of all with Harriet, every evening for a drink, and Harriet Harriet B. Creighton ’29, professor however, was watching her walk into often joined us. She was filled with of botany emerita, gave a lecture on a room full of alumnae. They all just stories of Wellesley, M. Clapp (as she “Understanding Botany” as part of adored her and would swarm over to called her), how things were done at the April 6 dedication ceremonies for speak to her. She was once introduced at Wellesley (Academic Council and the a new entrance and Visitor Center the opening dinner of Alumnae Council faculty had all the power ... particularly at Wellesley’s Margaret C. Ferguson and immediately 200 people in the room interesting in light of recent views), Greenhouses. She is shown (above) were on their feet applauding her. That and on and on with her encyclopedic in the Visitor Center’s Creighton spoke volumes about her teaching and breadth. It was really a neat experience Room, which was named in her hon- the relationships she maintained with her from a time when not all that many or. The construction project completes students. people even noticed new faculty ten years of greenhouse renovations. Because we’re deep into the production members. schedule for the winter magazine, we Judy Brown, Physics Reprinted from Wellesley magazine, won’t be able to do a memorial tribute Summer 1992, page 53

13 FROM THE DIRECTOR TALES continued from page 2 continued from page 12 would continue to encompass the Barbara N. Rappaport ’44 knew needs of both the academic and her as teacher, associate, and public audiences it served. Harriet advocate . . . was forward-thinking to the last. She Harriet was everybody’s favorite was interested in the proposed plan person—Wellesley classmates, students for refurbishing the greenhouses in and colleagues. For me, Harriet was order to ensure the science of botany the dynamic professor in the big Botany could be taught in the most favorable 101 lectures—a clear favorite with the environment. I will miss her energy students, as she was lucid and lively in exposition. She had a brilliant mind and support, and can only hope that and was a top notch researcher before I will be as lucid and focused for as undertaking teaching at Wellesley where many years as was she. she concentrated on students. Three adjectives help define Harriet are shrewd, Please be sure to take time to enjoy kind and breezy—a real breath of fresh the green world around you, and give air to all around her. Mary Bragg ’40 chats with Harriet Creighton’29 thanks to those who make it possible. When she had been called from the at the Friends of Horticulture Annual Meeting 2003. I will. classroom to be part of the initial core of Mildred McAfee’s WAVES, she became Yours, my superior officer, jaunty in her uniform teaching students going on to be officers. When I became a civilian again, I was asked to become secretary of the Botany Department at Wellesley, and Harriet was Department Chairman. I had the and the present arrangements that pleasure and adventure of working with are among the very best college greenhouses in the . her daily. Harriet always attended the meetings of P.S. If you are back on campus for That year, she had the idea for a the Friends and kept great enthusiasm Reunion 2004, be sure to drop by the Garden Day, when local garden clubs for botany programs all her life. She Visitor Center and join me for a tour were invited to come to Wellesley for especially honored the legacy of Ms. of the Gardens! a program and to view the greenhouses Ferguson, and the teaching aspects of and gardens. This led eventually to the greenhouse use. So long, Harriet, you Friends of Horticulture, fund raising, have left us your great legacy.

Year after year, members of the Friends of Horticulture—that’s you—have Thanks generously contributed to the Friends’ general operating funds and special projects. We are so grateful to those of you who send the basic membership amount and especially grateful to those who add a bit more to your gift. Your support makes For Your it possible for the Friends to continue providing much needed support for the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens and for horticulture here on campus.

Continued Thank you for continuing to make the Friends of Horticulture a priority in your giving. Support! Scott Birney, Treasurer Professor Emeritus, Astronomy

14 but not every year. These “mast” years is very distinctive in the winter. The Oaks in the insure the oaks survival. Oaks generally buds on the black oak are sharp-pointed, Wellesley College produce a moderate amount of acorns angled and covered with whitish wooly that the squirrels and birds store and eat, hairs. The white oak buds are much Botanic Gardens leaving relatively few to spout. When smaller, rounded and not wooly. Can you by Carol Govan they radically increase their number as in find three different acorns from these WCFH Docent Training Coordinator a mast year, the seed predators can’t hope trees? On oaks in the red oak group, to find them all. you may see small acorns on this year’s growth and larger ones from the previous The foliage on oaks is quite variable. season lower down on the same branch, The leaves on a new seedling or sucker while the white oaks will only have shoot might be larger and have shallower acorns the same size. sinuses (sinuses form the depressions between leaf lobes) than the parent tree, I often pick up fallen branches and look ensuring there is more green surface for the female flowers, or immature area to photosynthesize. Even leaves acorns. The male flowers will not stay on on older trees will be different on the the tree but will fall when they mature same tree. The ones higher up will have and release their pollen. They look like deeper sinuses that allow the sun to long skinny caterpillars all over the filter down to the lower leaves. This is ground or stuck in nearby trees. I also especially true on black oaks. Compare like to look at the shape of the pith (soft some leaves from the same tree that you tissue in the stems) at the cut end of an find on the ground. There are always oak twig. If you look down on the twig whole oak leaves to examine. They resist the leaves spiral around 5 times before Observe the classic Black Oak (Quercus decomposition because they are high in they come out at the same angle again. velutina) characteristics: the acorn where the lignin (a substance that adds strength This means the leaves are five-ranked cup with overlapping scales covers about half the to some cell walls of plants). Most oak and the pith looks like a five-pointed nut; the leathery, shiny green leaves with their leaves turn a lovely chestnut brown in star. In late spring and early summer, you bristle-tipped lobes; and the large light-colored the fall, whereas the scarlet oak turns a can often find smoothly cut oak twigs on hairy buds. wine red color. This is the time that you the ground with green leaves attached can really identify a scarlet oak for sure. that indicate the work of a twig pruner, Several species of oaks in the Arboretum the larva of a long-horned beetle. are found around the Beeches (Fagus) and Chestnuts (Castanea), also in the Other oaks in the Botanic Gardens: Oak Family (Fagaceae), and all have uniquely shaped leaves. • Japanese Oak (Quercus acutissima) on Observatory Hill towards the southwest Mid-spring, oaks are extending their The oaks are divided into two sub groups: corner long, slender pollen-bearing catkins from (1) the red oaks (red, black, scarlet, etc.) • Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) buds formed last fall. They are at the base which have bristle tipped lobes on their along College Road of the new shoots covered with fuzzy, leaves and take two years to produce • Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) a pink leaves. The imperfect flowers are mature acorns, and (2) the white oaks specimen tree near the Witchhazel monoecious (one house) with separate (white, swamp white, etc.) that have Group male flowers and female flowers on the rounded lobes and produce acorns in • Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria) that same tree. The female flowers, where one year. There is a red oak (Quercus does not have lobes but does have the acorns will form, are in the leaf axils rubra), a black oak (Quercus velutina) bristle-tipped points (angles where the leaves and twigs meet) and a white oak (Quercus alba) on the • Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) on these shoots. They look like buds but way to Gray parking lot from the Visitors • Swamp Chestnut or Basket Oak are on a little stalk and you can see the Center where you can easily compare (Quercus prinus) three-pronged stigma: the pistil’s surface the buds, bark, leaves and acorns of these • Chinquapin Oak (Quercus that will catch the pollen. You have three common native New England meuhlenbergii) near the Chestnuts and to look closely because they are wind- trees. The branches of the black and Beeches pollinated and not very showy. Soon white oaks extend downward so you can • Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) a after pollination, though, you will see examine them closely. Oaks have several memorial tree on Fiske walk similar the baby acorns develop. Some years you buds (one terminal and several lateral) to our Red Oak and native to the will find tons of acorns on the ground clustered at the end of their twigs. This Southeast.

15 The New England Tropical Conservatory The was founded in 1991 by a group of people concerned about the deforestation of New England tropical rainforests and the resulting extinction of tropical plant species. Tropical Their goal is to contribute to the preservation of tropical rainforest Conservatory plants through research, education by Nancy Dean Kingman ’53 and exhibition. They have recently WCFH Docent Co-Chair purchased a ninety-six acre site in Bennington, Vermont, which ultimately will have greenhouses, research, and education buildings. Through this facility and the work of the NETC, they plan to make conservatory plants available for research, to create As part of the WCFH materials for public education, and to Volunteers ongoing build awareness of the need to protect the world’s rainforests. In the future, training program called visitors to the NETC will see the “First Mondays,” valuable connections of our plant world The picture was taken in 2001 at a tea plantation to that of the tropical rainforest. Some where the wooded hillside visible in the back- Dr. Mary M. Fuqua, examples of plant families we share ground is cleared year by year to make way for President of the Board of with the rainforest in Indonesia are: more tea. Begonia muricata was found here. pine, blueberry, impatiens, nettles, and Left to right: Harry Wiriadinata, Senior Botanist Directors of the New England raspberries. at the Bogoriense Herbarium; Scott Hoover, NETC founder and collector; Mary Fuqua; Tropical Conservatory Johnny Tee, their driver. Dr. Mary M. Fuqua retired ten years (NETC), recently visited ago from her position as Dean of Wellesley College to share Graduate and Continuing Education at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, They chose to do their research at the with the Friends of Horticulture and was looking forward to hiking and Herbarium Bogoriense in West Java docents and volunteers news of walking in the outdoors more often than Province — the national herbarium of she had been able to. She had always Indonesia, and an established, leading her fledgling organization and enjoyed the world of plants, and loved institute with botanists and technicians its projects. WCFH observing native plants in their habitats. already on staff. A small NETC group She called a friend, Scott Hoover (a took expeditions to the Bogoriense looks forward to watching current NETC Board member), who Herbarium to collect and taxonomically this organization grow! happened at that time to be hatching describe new species of Begonia and other the idea of building a conservatory for herbaceous plants from the forests. This tropical plants in New England. Mary study would provide data for a survey of offered her help, little suspecting that it species diversity in the genus Begonia as would blossom into the passion and cause an indicator of overall biodiversity in that it has become. the Indonesian montane forests where many, many acres of forest are being lost One of the first tasks at hand was to to the timber trade and to agriculture. figure out where botanical expeditions The collection of such plants will assure should be conducted, as the NETC the preservation of species that might was going to practice “ex situ” (off otherwise be lost. site) preservation. There are two places in the world with an unusually The NETC and the Herbarium high level of biodiversity — Brazil and collaborate about which plants should Indonesia. Since Brazil already had be collected. The NETC continues to a great deal of research taking place concentrate on Begonias and related within its borders, the fledgling NETC species (i.e. gesneriads) and ferns. They decided to concentrate on Indonesia. will ultimately collect plants, trees and

16 provided some funding, and can provide The NETC and the American Begonia Society experienced growers for the task of Connection:Supporting Conservation and producing plants from seed. Back in Indonesia, 140 pressed specimens of Responsible Collecting Begonia and 2,300 general botanical specimens have been deposited at the Seed and plant collection in native habitats has often been randomly done to the Herbarium as a result of the collaboration. detriment of many endangered species. Here is an example of one organization that It represents some of the first systematic has reversed that trend and is scientifically and responsibly protecting and documenting samplings of these forests and has special plants. confirmed the existence of at least 20 new Founded in 1932, the American Begonia Society (ABS) has a current worldwide species of Begonia discovered within three membership of 1,300. The Society’s mission includes the promotion of interest year’s time. in begonias, development of new types of plants, standardization of begonia nomenclature, and the gathering and publishing of information about begonias. A portion of the seeds and live plants Additionally, the ABS promotes education and conservation, and provides a seed brought back from Indonesian expeditions bank from which members can request or purchase seeds of various species. are taken to western Massachusetts where greenhouse space has been donated to Some of the seeds in the seed bank are acquired by adventurous collectors, like NETC. There, additional propagation, Scott Hoover, the Founding Director of the New England Tropical Conservatory. In growing and maintenance are being January of 2000, Scott set out on a 20-week begonia collecting expedition to Java, conducted. To fulfill their educational Indonesia. These lush mountains are largely unexplored due to their difficult access. mission, the NETC plant collection and The leader of one of four collecting teams that explored five mountains in Java, facilities are available for college and Scott worked closely with three other botanists from the Herbarium Bogoriense. university courses and programs, as well They collected begonia plants for herbarium specimens, seed, epidermal peels, and as for environmental education studies preserved (pickled) live leaf material. All of the seed collected went to the American at the primary and secondary levels. In Begonia Society. fact, one of the plants Dr. Fuqua exhibited The ABS distributed seed to individuals who contributed funds to support the at our October meeting was grown from expedition (if the contributor requested), to designated growers, and to the ABS seed collected in 2002 at an elevation of Seed Fund, a members-only repository from which seed can be purchased. 1,600 feet on Mt. Cikuray in West Java Province. A rhizomatous species, it bears Upon completion of the begonia collecting expedition in Java, Scott and his the name Begonia muricata and is now part colleagues conducted a taxonomic revision of the Begonia of Java, the only systematic of the Ferguson Greenhouse collection. treatment of the Begoniaceae of Indonesia. If funds allow, additional expeditions will continue (without Scott), and new specimens will be included in the revision of In addition to the construction of Begonia of Java. greenhouses with a conservatory open to To learn more about ABS, check their web site at www.begonias.org or write them the public, the new NETC headquarters at: American Begonia Society, P.O. Box 471651, San Francisco, CA 94147-1651. building in Bennington, VT will have a visitor reception area, shop, café, classrooms and office space. The surrounding grounds will be landscaped shrubs that have affinities with north specimens are collected, pressed and into a botanic garden that will include temperate plants, i.e. have a genus and/or dried by the Herbarium’s field botanists walking trails and nature study stations. family connection. This will help the and technicians, they identify and Visitors will be able to enjoy the beauty NETC visitor connect local plants to give a taxonomic description of newly of tropical plants and learn about the those native on the far side of the world. discovered species. The NETC has rainforests from which they have come. been granted permits to take seeds and Exploration and field research is carried specimens out of Indonesia and into the To learn more about the New England out in cooperation with scientists United States. Tropical Conservatory, check their web site and technicians at the Herbarium at www.netrop.org. Alternatively, their Bogoriense. This group collects Harvard provides a valuable service by contact information is as follows: each plant in triplicate — one is for mounting and cataloguing the specimens the Herbarium in Bogor; a second is into their collection. Begonia seeds that New England Tropical Conservatory for Harvard University’s herbarium; have been collected, dried and brought P.O. Box 4715 and the third is for the University of back have thus far been directed to the Bennington, VT 05201 Leiden in the Netherlands, a country American Begonia Society (see related 802-447-7419 which still has ties to Indonesia. After article above.) This organization has

17 PROGRAMS AND COURSES

Beyond Koi: The Ecosystem Created in a Water Garden Trip to Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain HOR 0405 TVL 0401 Co-sponsored with the Garden Club of the Back Bay Monday, May 3, 2004, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2004 Meet at Wellesley College Gray Lot to Carpool Greenhouse Reception 9:45 a.m.; Program 10:30 a.m. Join us as we journey to Forest Hills Cemetery, one of the Boston Wellesley College Botanic Gardens’ Visitors Center area’s best kept secret gardens. Founded by H.A.S. Dearborn, Lecturer: Paul Trudeau first President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and The sound and sight of water delights and relaxes us as well as co-founder of Mt. Auburn Cemetery, the cemetery is filled with welcoming birds and other life forms (fish, snails, frogs, etc.). For magnificent specimen trees and works of art by some of the most more than 19 years Paul Trudeau, owner of Hardwicke Gardens important New England artists of the last two hundred years. Statuary and Water Garden Center (www.hardwickegardens.com) In addition to visiting Forest Hills’ working greenhouses full of and frequent New England Spring Flower Show exhibitor, has thousands of annuals ready for Memorial Day planting, we will offered advice on the creation and maintenance of waterfalls and walk to Lake Hibiscus, pausing to view the marvelous sculpture water gardens. What makes his approach special is that he creates of specific 19th c. artists. We shall visit the imposing obelisk of as natural an ecosystem as possible. Whether you have or desire Marshall Pinckney Wilder, the hybridizer of the Wilder Rose and a water garden in small tub set on a terrace or a pond as the focal a co-founder of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1829 point for the larger landscape, Paul’s talk will inspire you. along with Dearborn. We’ll meander along the paths, pausing Members $15 / Non-members $18 to see some favorite monuments of Daniel Chester French, ee cummings’ modest grave, and the welcoming Reece memorial by Landscaping with Medicinal Plants: William Partridge. We will also see the contemporary bronze “The Sentinel”, by Fern Cunningham. Forest Hills, a green oasis in the Healing our Bodies, Healing the Earth city, is an adventure in history, landscape and art. For those who HOR 0406 wish to eat before heading home, we are going Dutch treat for Thursday, April 22, 2004, 7:00–8:30 p.m. lunch to nearby Doyle’s Café. Co-sponsored with the New England Wildflower Society Members $15 / Non-Members $18 Wellesley College Botanic Gardens’ Visitors Center Lecturer: Corinne Martin Medicinal plants have always been an integral part of our health Walk through the Hunnewell Pinetum history. Approximately 2/3 of the world’s population uses HOR 0407 medicinal herbs as a primary method of healing. As use of wild Meet at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens Visitor Center medicinal plants increases in this country, we have an opportunity Monday, May 10, 2004, 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. as gardeners and landscapers to help heighten awareness of the Leader: David Dusenbury usefulness of wild plants in everyday health, and to help preserve The Pinetum on the Hunnewell Estate was officially started in 1866 at-risk medicinal plants in our own gardens and landscapes. by Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, the founder and creator of the estate. Corinne Martin’s lecture will focus on the use of medicinal plants, The cultivation and stewardship of this world-class tree collection commonly used herbs with their medicinal properties and their has continued through four generations of the Hunnewell family to status in the wild (with slides), and resources available for those the present day. The ten acres of the Pinetum include more than interested in cultivating herbs. 350 specimen conifers representing approximately 150 different Ms. Martin has 25 years experience with medicinal herbs, both as a varieties ranging in age from a few years to over 140 years old. clinical herbalist and an amateur naturalist. With a Master’s degree A few of the many highlights are spectacular mature Sargent’s in Applied Anthropology with concentrations in Ethnobotany Weeping Hemlock, Cedar of Lebanon, and Dawn Redwood. David and Sustainable Community, Corinne offers herbal consultations, Dusenbury, Hunnewell Estate Horticulturist/Superintendent, will slide lectures, and herb walks, and has written numerous articles lead us on this fascinating walk. and a book on the use of medicinal plants. She teaches integrative Members $ 15 / Non-Members $18 medicine studies at the University of Southern Maine’s College of Nursing, in addition to writing a monthly column for the magazine “People, Places and Plants.” Members $15 / Non-Members $18

For more information, visit our web site: www.wellesley.edu/FOH or call WCFH at 781-283-3094 or e-mail us at [email protected]

18 THE LANDSCAPE IN SPRING: WELLESLEY COLLEGE A Study in Natural Settings FRIENDS OF HORTICULTURE Wellesley College Botanic Gardens’ Visitors Center Programs, Courses and Travel Spring 2004 www.wellesley.edu/FOH Spring 2004 email: [email protected] WCC 0403 office: 781-283-3094 Wednesdays 12:30–3:30 p.m. May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 2004 Please print and fill out this registration form. Make your check payable to: Susan Swinand offers this seven session watercolor course for Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture intermediate and advanced levels which covers color, direction of Mail to: natural light and cast shadows, elements of atmosphere and linear Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture perspective, simplifying to suggest complex masses, and modeling 106 Central Street form with light and color. Participants will have private study Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 segments in the ideal setting of the College’s Hunnewell Arboretum and Alexandra Botanic Garden. Name:______Members $165 / Non-Members $195 Address:______

Phone: Home______

Phone: Work______Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture E-Mail______Annual Meeting If applicable: Wellesley College Class of______

___ I would like information on the Diversifying your garden: Friends of Horticulture volunteer program.

Pretty plants with Multiple Identities MEMBERSHIP IN THE FRIENDS OF HORTICULTURE with Erin Goergen (for the academic year July 2003-June 2004) Young Alum: $15 Donor: $250 Biological Sciences Laboratory Assistant Regular: $35 Supporter: $500 Thursday, May 13, 2004 Contributor: $50 Sustainer: Over $500 Sponsor: $100 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. MEMBERSHIP TOTAL______4:00 p.m. — Reception — Visitor Center (Separate check, please) 4:30 p.m. — Program — Science Center BEYOND KOI: When we first start to garden, we revel in the sheer joy of THE ECOSYSTEM OF A WATER GARDEN HOR 0405___Wednesday, March 24, M $15/NM $18 an aesthetically pleasing display. With the maturation of our horticultural efforts, we discover many of the nuances of LANDSCAPING WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS: modern gardening — integrated pest management, sustainable CORINNE MARTIN design, low maintenance, drought tolerance, proper soil HOR 0406___Thursday, April 22, M $15/NM $18 composition — to name a few. Historically, plants have played many roles. Erin Goergen TRIP TO FOREST HILLS CEMETERY will take us beyond “Right Plant / Right Place” all the way to TVL 0401___Monday, May 3, M $15/NM $18 “Right Use.” She enlighten us about plants that can be grown in NE gardens but have more uses (ie: medicinal, culinary, A WALK THROUGH THE HUNNEWELL PINETUM: cultural, religious, etc. value in addition to horticultural) than HOR 0407___Monday, May 10, M $15/NM $18 many of the more commonly used, showy garden plants. We WCFH ANNUAL MEETING may never look at our plants in the quite same way again! HOR 04AM___Thursday, May 13, M Free/NM $5 Free for Members; Non-Members $5 THE LANDSCAPE IN SPRING: Plan to make an evening of it and make your dinner A STUDY IN NATURAL SETTINGS reservations at the College Club! For reservations, call WCS 0403___Spring 2004, M $165/NM $195 781-283-2700. PROGRAM TOTAL______

19 PAID Boston, MA Boston, U S Postage Non Profit Org Non Profit Permit No 12548 Permit WELLESLEY COLLEGE Friends of Horticulture Science Center 106 Central Street MA 02481-8203 Wellesley,

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